Karim Benzema, one of the most decorated strikers in Real Madrid history, left the club to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023. This move came as a surprise to many, as Benzema was a regular goal scorer for Ancelotti’s men in 2022–23 and could have achieved more with the Los Blancos.
Real Madrid was looking for his replacement. Kylian Mbappe has been their primary target, but PSG demand a huge amount for his transfer. They instead brought someone who is not new to Real Madrid. Spanish national team striker Joselu returned to the club that he once represented at the start of his career. Here is a look at why Madrid decided to loan the player for the 2023–24 season.
Decent goal-scorer
Joselu played for Espanyol in 2022–23, and despite his 16 goals and effort, the team was relegated and is playing in the second division. The striker scored five goals from the penalty spot. Joselu attempted 87 shots and averaged 2.4 shots per 90 minutes in 2022–23. The accuracy rate was decent at 42.5%. The 33-year-old is a tall figure and good at heading the ball. He took full advantage of his height inside the opposition penalty box and scored every goal from inside it.
Joselu scored his first goal of the 2023-24 season against Getafe. He took four shots in that match and managed to hit the target three times.
Other abilities
Joselu struggled to create goals for Espanyol in the last campaign. He attempted 14 shot assists, but only one chance was converted. This season, the player has already provided an assist to Jude Bellingham. His work rate and the ability to stretch the defence are what Real Madrid will look for in the upcoming season.
One of Joselu’s abilities is to win fouls in dangerous areas for his side. In the 2022–23 season, he won 68 fouls for his side. In a team like Real Madrid, where there are some of the best set-piece players, these free-kicks can easily create scoring chances.
Another area where the striker benefits from his work rate is his ability to recover the ball in dangerous scoring areas. The above viz shows that Joselu made most of the regains on the edge of the penalty box. This season, the player has already made two dangerous recoveries, both of which came inside the opposition penalty box.
Benzema’s ideal replacement
Karim Benzema won five UEFA Champions League and four LaLiga titles with Real Madrid. He is one of the greatest players of all time for the club. In the 2022–23 season, the player scored 19 times in 24 league games. The above viz compares the stats of Benzema and Joselu according to their percentile ranks in 2022–23.
Benzema dominated everywhere except in the aerial duels. Joselu was probably the best striker when it came to aerial ability. This makes him a threat during set-pieces as well.
Joselu is different from Benzema and is not a regular scorer like him. The player possesses the ability to score goals and play for big teams. Real Madrid will look to use his abilities, and Joselu will also look to win something on his return to the former club.
Visuals via TFA data viz engine
